Finding North: July 2024
Yearly rituals and a giveaway inside! 🔥
Note: The recording above is a reading of this newsletter — there’s no different content, and it’s not produced, so you’ll hear the occasional stumble, or sounds of daily life in the background. If you’re someone who needs or prefers to hear their news, then I hope it’s helpful.
Hi there! I’m Amie Kaufman, NYT and internationally bestselling author of The Isles of the Gods, Illuminae, Aurora Rising, These Broken Stars, and many more books besides. This newsletter is the place to learn about my latest releases or events, and to follow along behind the scenes as I find my way through writing, and through life.
Hi, my friends.
It’s great to be back in your inboxes again. This month I’m talking about rituals for hard times, the start of a new project, and the launch of a new book - there’s lots to cover!
Before we kick off, I want to remind you that The Heart of the World is out on September 17th (or August 28th for Aussies!) and that every time you preorder a book, an author spares the life of a character you love.
Should you wish to preorder, you can find The Heart of the World at the links below. If you’re in the US, don’t tell anyone I told you, but I heard a whisper there’s a sale at B&N next week — 25% off preorders. Get those carts ready!
Aussies: Dymocks Readings Amazon QBD
Now, let’s get down to business.
What I’ve Been Up To
There’s a ritual we complete every year at the winter solstice, when the nights are as long and dark as they’re going to get. We light a fire, and we write down all the hard stuff that’s happened in the first half of the year. All the stuff we want to leave behind. Often, it’s the stuff that will ultimately make you a stronger person, but that’s no fun while it’s happening — and then we set it on fire.
It’s winter here in Australia, so we did our burning about ten days ago. The hardest thing I wrote down this year burned for the longest, and I gazed at it as the edges of the little piece of paper glowed a bright orange. It felt like it was refusing to vanish. And then it crumpled in on itself, and a moment later, the ash seemed to dissolve into nothing.
And then we toasted marshmallows. I’d like to say it was to symbolically end the ritual by turning toward sweetness or something, but really it’s just that we have a five year old, and she’s wild about toasting marshmallows over the fire. Fair enough, too. They’re delicious.
It’s been cold, wet, dark and gloomy here of late, but though I’m emphatically a summer person over winter, I’ve been really enjoying the nesting. I love lighting a fire, I love curling up with a good book, I love warm, filling food. I love my gorgeous woollen blanket I brought back from Ireland, and I love the gorgeously warm coat I bought when we went to Iceland, years ago. I’ve been pulling it on and walking down to the beach, breathing in the cold, fresh air, and letting my thoughts range in the way they need to when I’m starting something new.
What I’m Writing
I’ve started a new book this week. It won’t be out until 2026, but I’ve sold it to my editor, and the commitment is made. As I wrote in this letter, back in September, I strongly believe that writing to a deadline doesn’t have to mean suffering, or sacrificing your physical, mental or emotional health — but there are a lot of people out there selling that idea.
I have a tight deadline to get this first draft done — 75 days, maximum. My plan is to write 1,000 words each day, and not much more even on the days I feel like I could go for ages. Slow and steady will win the race — and each day I’ll also be doing something to refill the well and take care of myself, so my brain’s in good shape when I finish, rather than being the consistency of pudding.
If this kind of thing is interesting to you, I’ll be reporting in my instagram stories each day — you can find me here.
What I’ve Loved Lately
I’m always confused by people who say that blurbs don’t sell books. They do to me! I picked this one up because
blurbed it, said they loved it, and would have read a thousand pages more if they could. Wren knows what they’re talking about, so this was good enough for me.The Mars House is a wondrous experience — I stayed up far later than was good for me finishing it, and definitely would have read a thousand pages more if I’d had the chance. It was thought-provoking, whimsical, and wildly creative at every turn.
News and Events
Over on the podcast, Kate and I have just finished a full read-along of The Isles of the Gods, and then one of Kate’s book, Nightbirds.
We recapped the events of the book, talked about behind-the-scenes details and inspiration, discussed writing and craft choices, and generally put together a making-of, which is the perfect recap before The Heart of the World releases — September 17th in the US and UK, and August 28th here in Australia.
If you’d like to give it a try (and you really should, we’ve had an overwhelming and really lovely response from listeners) then you can find Pub Dates wherever you get your podcasts, or listen to the first read-along episode here.
Giveaway
This month’s giveaway is this set of art prints, plus a map from The Isles of the Gods! As I have eight different published series, and folks who are fans of one might not be fans of another, I like to let you choose which monthly giveaways you want to enter for, and which you want to leave.
To win, leave a comment telling me something about The Isles of the Gods — a favourite character, favourite moment, anything at all!
The giveaway is open internationally. One answer will be randomly selected about halfway through the month, and I’ll reply in a comment to let you know to check your email! Good luck!
That’s it from me this month — I’m going to leave you with those preorder links for The Heart of the World one more time! I might be back in your inboxes before the start of August with some fun news, but otherwise, I’ll see you in a month. Take care!
Aussies: Dymocks Readings Amazon QBD
"...every time you preorder a book, an author spares the life of a character you love."
Lies! All lies!
(...but still preorder...)
the cover is so pretty!